abroad
uh-BRAWD
Abroad (adv) means In or to a foreign country. Example: “They spent a year studying abroad in Spain.”
adv
1
In or to a foreign country.
"They spent a year studying abroad in Spain."
"Prices for goods from abroad have risen sharply."
"Many people save for years so they can live abroad after they retire."
2
Circulating widely; known or talked about generally.
"News of the closure was soon abroad, and everyone in town was discussing it."
"There was a story abroad that the old mill was haunted."
"A troubling rumour was soon abroad among the staff."
How to use abroad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOutside your home country — or, in an older sense, "out and about" and widely known.
UK vs US
Very common in British English for any trip outside the UK; American English often prefers "overseas" or naming the country directly.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
live abroad
travel abroad
go abroad
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Etymology
From Middle English abrood, combining a- ("on") with brood ("broad") — originally meaning simply "widely scattered."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for abroad
See all rhymes for abroad →Frequently asked questions
What does “abroad” mean?
The word “abroad” means in or to a foreign country. In plain terms, outside your home country — or, in an older sense, "out and about" and widely known.
How do you pronounce “abroad”?
“Abroad” is pronounced uh-BRAWD (/əˈbɹɔːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “abroad” in a sentence?
Here is “abroad” used in a sentence: “They spent a year studying abroad in Spain.”
What part of speech is “abroad”?
“Abroad” is an adverb.
Where does the word “abroad” come from?
The word “abroad” comes from Middle English. From Middle English abrood, combining a- ("on") with brood ("broad") — originally meaning simply "widely scattered.".
Is “abroad” a common word?
“Abroad” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “abroad” have?
“Abroad” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in or to a foreign country.
What is the difference between abroad and overseas?
Both mean in or to a foreign country, and they overlap heavily. Overseas literally implies crossing a sea or ocean to reach the destination. Abroad is broader and carries no such requirement, so travelling from France to Germany by land still counts as going abroad but not necessarily overseas.
Is abroad an adverb or a noun?
Abroad functions mainly as an adverb, describing where an action happens: "She studied abroad" or "They moved abroad." It is not used as a plain noun, so you say "living abroad" rather than "in the abroad." It answers the question where by meaning in a foreign country.
What is an example of using abroad in a sentence?
Common examples include "He works abroad for six months a year," "We are travelling abroad this summer," and "She sends money to family from abroad." In each, abroad simply means in or to a country other than one's own, without naming a specific place.
What is the opposite of abroad?
The opposite of abroad is at home or domestically, meaning within one's own country. Where abroad points outward to foreign lands, at home keeps the action inside national borders. You might contrast "holidays abroad" with "holidays at home" to make the distinction clear.
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